Attached photo by Rob Colburn
Ottawa Swans player Jacob Plunkett-Latimer gets his hands on the ball in a tight contest versus the Toronto Rebels on July 6.
The first and only meeting between the Toronto Rebels and Ottawa Swans in 2013 was held under clear skies in hot conditions at the Rideau Carleton Raceway on Saturday, July 6. The Rebels, coming into the game sitting second on the ladder would have been confident matching up against the ninth place Swans. The Swans coming off a couple of close losses were looking to put in another solid and consistent effort.
Swans started with the wind at their back and got off to a very fast start. Both teams traded early goals. Excellent on ball work and great efficient use of the ball in the forward 50 allow the Swans pull away to a three goal lead by the first break. Darren Roffey winning plenty of ball and kicking true for two goals.
Rebels took full advantage of the wind to hold the Swans goalless for the quarter and to kick a couple of their own to pull back to within one goal. Nathan Strom and Brendan Woods continued to impress and were unlucky to see their hard work unrewarded.
Coach Rod Frank also said he saw fantastic defensive play by Jay Goldhawk, Nic Desson, Bartek Jakobik and Tyler MacLellan, and good clearances from Matty Payne. Holding a lead with the wind at their backs, Swans were confident heading into the 3rd. The Rebels made some adjustments to try and limit the Swans attack and were rewarded as they managed to kick three goals to the Swans one. The Rebels led by seven heading into the final stanza.
The Swans, motivated by coach Rod Frank, were determined not to let 3 quarters of hard work go unrewarded in the final quarter. With the narrow loss of the Canada Cup still fresh on many players minds, the Swans managed to push hard into the wind to pull back within a kick mid way through the fourth quarter. The Rebels had plenty of forward pressure but steady defensive work by the backline of Jay Goldhawk, Bartek Jakobik and Nic Desson limited the Rebels to one goal. A late goal by Tyler MacLellan drew the Swans even and the final minutes of action were tense as both teams battled hard for the go ahead point.
Coach Rod Frank said he was impressed with the team’s overall development, with more than just several key players making impressive plays and contributing. He was impressed with the work ruckman Jack Beardmore had done in training in the past week.
“The fourth quarter was something I hope the players will always remember,” he said. “Not just for the end to end ball movement that finished with Tyler MacLellan's fantastic goal, but for the way they stuck it out right to the wire, and for the never say die spirit that got them there.”
The game ended in a draw, the first in the Swans history.
Swans 9.5 (59) drew Rebels 8.11 (59)
Goal Kickers: Darren Roffey (3), Marc Magierowizc (2), Andrew Wilson , Tyler MacLellan, Brendan Woods, Marc St. Germain
Best Players: Brendan Woods, Tyler MacLellan, Nathan Strom, Marc Magierowizc, Jay Goldhawk
The Swans will next play on the road on July 13 in Toronto, and at home on July 20 at the Rideau Carleton Raceway at 2 p.m.
Last Modified on 11/06/2014 23:49